Crayons!
I used to love crayons. A lot.
I’d entertain myself for hours with a pad of paper and box of Crayolas. My favorite part was probably the built-in pencil sharpener; but I liked the funny color names too. Did you know there was once a color called “Dirty Sneakers”? Or “Dingy Dungeon”?
Sometime around the years of fourth or fifth grade, crayons stepped aside to make room for markers, and later gelly roll pens. (Anyone remember those?) But on my first day of college, we were asked to make name tags… and they gave us crayons!
Everyone was so excited; you would’ve thought they were handing out candy. Or money.
Yeah, that would’ve been nice.
None of this has much to do with rice crispy treats, except that I was at the store a few days ago and spotted crayons on sale for 25 cents. So I bought a pack and threw them into the photoshoot.
The following is based on my Rice Crispy Treat Babies. I thought the chocolate version deserved its own post. Chocolate should never be just a side note. (By the way, don’t you think Crayola is long overdue for the creation of a “chocolate” crayon? Preferably a scented one. Then again… if they came out with something like that, it could be dangerous; I’d want to eat it! They’re probably better off sticking with the aforementioned dirty sneakers.)
Cocoa Crispy Treats
(can be gluten-free!)
Recipe inspired by these babies.
- 3 cups rice crispies (I used gf brown rice crispies)
- 2 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt (I used salted pb, too)
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp nut butter of choice (For lower-cal option, see calorie link below.)
- 1/2 cup sticky sweetener ( (I used agave. For low-sugar options, see calorie link below.)
- optional: 1/4 cup cocoa powder (or your favorite chocolate protein powder)
- optional: melted chocolate to drizzle over the top
Mix your pb (or other nut butter of choice), sweetener, vanilla, cocoa, and salt. Melt (either in the microwave or stove), then pour over the cereal and stir very well, making sure to coat all the crispies. (For a richer chocolate taste, try subbing chocolate chips for some of the cocoa powder.) Form into balls or line a pan with wax paper and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Place a sheet of wax paper on top of the mixture, then press down as firmly as you can. Really press it down! Freeze for at least a half hour before slicing.
These treats can be stored in the freezer, in the fridge, or loosely covered in a cool, dry place. But, as with the non-chocolate version, the best place to store them is in your tummy.
Question of the Day:
Did you like crayons when you were little?
Honestly, I think my mom liked crayons even more than I did. Before discovering them, I had a love affair with smelly markers, and I’d always come home from preschool with dots all over my nose. Switching to Crayolas saved quite a bit of scrubbing my face :).
Also: I’m amazed so many people want to be CCK taste-testers!!!
Amazed and excited! But obviously the email idea is not going to work, and there’s no way I’m turning willing volunteers away. So I’m trying to find an easier way to share the recipes. Stay tuned. After figuring it out, I’ll post more info later this week. Thank you so so much to all the volunteers!
Ohh chocolate covered rice krispies sound incredible! Sometimes I get an intense rice krispy craving so this will be perfect! And I used to love getting a new box of crayons when the school year started- I remember being so excited to get the 64 crayon box or the 101 crayon box (with the built in sharpener) haha oh man, so many memories!
So I just made these and I had to make more of the nut butter mix because that alone was so delicious! They are sitting in the freezer now and I can’t wait to try them 😀 I’m using puffed cereal since that’s what I have on hand, and I’m glad that I finally found a great use for them.
XOXO!!!
Ooh I’m interested to know how they taste with puffed cereal! I might have to try it, too!
Hi Katie,
I made these last night for a coworkers birthday. I usually get scared when I make healthy treats for people who might not necessarily appreciate them, so I added a tablespoon of coconut oil in hopes to make them a little “naughtier” (figured because “normal” rice crispy treats call for butter, this would work).
I would like to report that they are awesome. Better than real rice crispy treats. 🙂
Awww I am so so excited you liked them! And good call on the coconut oil. Coconut oil makes everything taste better!!
I am in love with your recipes! 😀
I just made these, and they are delicious! I followed your recipe exactly, and they came out perfect – SO much better than a regular rice crispy treat! Next time I think I’ll try using your banana butter in these. I love the peanut butter – banana – chocolate flavor combination. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Thank YOU for making them! 🙂 🙂
Thank YOU for making them!! 🙂 🙂
I loved crayons when I was a kid, but what I really loved was those double-sided scented markers with the pointy end on one side and the stamp on the other. I used to have a package of like 50 different colors and scents… I kid you not they had at least 3 different chocolate scents- tootsies (a kind of caramel color) peppermint bon bon (smelled like mint chocolate chip ice cream, bright green) and VELVET FUDGE (which is a really fancy name for a kids marker don’t you think?) I used to “draw” a bakery and make my little sister pay me to buy my goods- which of course meant I’d draw her a cookie, she’d give me a quarter..
Katie, these look AWESOME! so glad you pinned these or else i would’ve missed them 🙂
Made these yesterday! They are so good. I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off of ’em! I was out of Rice Crispies, so I improvised with Cherrios a bit crushed up. Not as good I’m sure, but still delish. Actually, I could have eaten the filling alone! And I’m wondering how it would taste doubled and eaten like fudge? Hmmmmm….
Hey, these look good! what size pan is best for this recipe? how many does this recipe make? Im wondering if I need to double it to take it over to a friends house for dessert 🙂
If I remember correctly, it makes an 8×8 pan… but I haven’t made them in awhile and am not 100% sure about that. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful! 😕
It fits in an 8×8 as is, I double it for our large family & it fits into a 9×13 that way.
These are awesome! Thankfully I only made a 1/2 recipe as it will all be gone soooo soon!